Michelle Kwan nominated for ambassadorship to Belize

[drivingmissdaisy]

Belize. Kind of odd, I don't think it's even a country she's competed in.

Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassador roles

President Biden will nominate Caroline Kennedy and former figure skater Michelle Kwan to ambassadorships as part of a slate of diplomatic picks, the White House announced Wednesday.Biden announced his intent to nominate Kennedy, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, to serve as...

www.yahoo.com

 

[el henry]

Belize. Kind of odd, I don't think it's even a country she's competed in.

Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassador roles

President Biden will nominate Caroline Kennedy and former figure skater Michelle Kwan to ambassadorships as part of a slate of diplomatic picks, the White House announced Wednesday.Biden announced his intent to nominate Kennedy, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, to serve as...

www.yahoo.com

I assume the remark was meant to be funny, but maybe Michelle can bring knowledge and enthusiasm for figure skating to Belize. Stranger things have happened.

Congratulations Michelle

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I assume the remark was meant to be funny, but maybe Michelle can bring knowledge and enthusiasm for figure skating to Belize.

I would have assumed those picked would have some nexus to the country. I know it's not often the case (i.e. LA Mayor Garcetti picked to be the ambassador to India), but am curious to know about the selection process.

 

[el henry]

I would have assumed those picked would have some nexus to the country. I know it's not often the case (i.e. LA Mayor Garcetti picked to be the ambassador to India), but am curious to know about the selection process.

I am curious too, and that may get into political waters which are not the subject here. But maybe Michelle will give an interview and let us know.

In any event, it is good to see Michelle doing so well in her career. There is life after skating.

 

[el henry]

Michelle's response:

 

[Near]

I would have assumed those picked would have some nexus to the country. I know it's not often the case (i.e. LA Mayor Garcetti picked to be the ambassador to India), but am curious to know about the selection process.

Ambassadorships are all over the place. A lot of them go to career diplomats, especially when it comes to countries that are smaller or that the US has more complicated relationships with.

The really high profile posts in countries where the US has a difficult relationship with (Russia and China come to mind) the appointee is usually political and usually someone who had an impressive political career (the last four ambassadors to China have been either governors or senators, and the current nominee is a former ambassador to NATO and a former undersecretary of State).

But a lot of the ambassadorships with countries that are both stable and which whom the US has a cordial relationship go to reward either donors and/or people who may want to run for office in the future. Belize is a relatively "easy" country to be US ambassador to, so it's a good job to give to someone who might be interested in starting a political career but who doesn't have experience.

 

[Moxiejan]

Belize. Kind of odd, I don't think it's even a country she's competed in.

Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassador roles

President Biden will nominate Caroline Kennedy and former figure skater Michelle Kwan to ambassadorships as part of a slate of diplomatic picks, the White House announced Wednesday.Biden announced his intent to nominate Kennedy, the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, to serve as...

www.yahoo.com

Michelle’s after-skating life includes an advanced degree in international studies & multiple diplomatic/political assignments that have taken her around the world. Very likely, the Belize appointment has more to do with getting her started as an ambassador (in the most suitable available country) than linking that to a long-ago skating location. She would have to have success in this first appointment to be ready for a higher-profile ambassadorship.

 

[arewhyaen]

Will Michelle have to move there?

 

[Mathman]

Michelle has known the Bidens ever since she worked as a part-time good-will sports envoy in the Obama administration. Here she is with Joe Biden in a 2008 picture, I think from Boise, Idaho, officiating at a Special Olympics event. (Don't be misled by the date on the caption. )

https://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2019/09/12/election_2020_nevada_biden_12346.jpg

Though far from a "career diplomat," Michelle has had some interesting experiences in the political arena. She got her start as a protoge of Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State for George W. Bush (although, I think Bush was actually morte of a Sasha Cohen fan. ) She learned a lot abput grass roots campaigning when her then-husband ran (insucesfully) for governor of Rhode Island, and she was very visible and active on behalf of the candidacy of Hillary Clinton in 2016.

This is cool. I agrere with poster @Near above that this is not the most challenging of assignments. (It is possible, though, that some issues of immigration from countries in that area into the U.S. will have to be attended to.) At least English is the official language, although most Belizians also speak some form of native Creole mixed with Spanish, I believe.

Anyway, very cool news. Go, Michelle!

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I still maintain they should have assigned her someplace more wintry

 

[rollerblade]

Nobody made a reference to Breaking Bad?

 

[el henry]

I still maintain they should have assigned her someplace more wintry

The poor woman has spent more than enough time in cold rinks.

She doesn’t want to spend her post skating career in the cold too.

 

[Moxiejan]

Will Michelle have to move there?

She will need to maintain at least a part-time residence.

 

[Ogre Mage]

Congratulations to Michelle on her nomination!

This is apparently a picture of the U.S. Embassy residential compound area in Belize. It looks pretty nice.

 

[el henry]

Congratulations to Michelle on her nomination!

This is apparently a picture of the U.S. Embassy in Belize. It looks pretty nice.

According to the company's website, that is a portion of the residential compound developed for embassy workers. Which needless to say would include a pool.

U.S. Embassy, Belmopan, Belize ‹ Bradley/Parker

www.bradleyparker.com

From the state department website, the actual embassy looks a tad more ambassadorial:

U.S. Embassy Belmopan

The Embassy of the United States of America serves as the focal point for the U.S. Mission and is the primary federal agency leading foreign relations in

bz.usembassy.gov

 

[CoyoteChris]

First, MK should sue over that terrible pic of her on Yahoo! LOL!
Second, what better place to spend a winter! Beach, jungles, birds!
Third, I am sure this is a stepping stone for her to go up the ladder.
Fourth, like many places in the US and South America and elsewhere, all is not rainbows and unicorns there.

States of Emergency in Belize - Cure or Addiction?

Despite improving homicide statistics, Belize continues to regularly declare states of emergency due to crime rates.

insightcrime.org

 

[Mathman]

First, MK should sue over that terrible pic of her on Yahoo! LOL!

Is this one better?

Biden will nominate Michelle Kwan and Caroline Kennedy for ambassador posts

The president will nominate Kwan, a two-time Olympic medalist figure skater, to serve as U.S. ambassador to Belize. He's tapping Kennedy to be ambassador to Australia.

www.npr.org

 

[demarinis5]

Congratulations to Michelle! Wonderful news!

 

[LiamForeman]

She will need to maintain at least a part-time residence.

I finally sold off my beachfront lots that my parents bought in Belize in the 80s. The water level has increased, and in 20 years the 'beach' will be unrecognizable. Belize is pretty though. But I prefer Costa Rica or Puerto Vallarta. Should someone send Michelle a copy of "The Mosquito Coast"? lol

 

[CoyoteChris]

Is this one better?

Biden will nominate Michelle Kwan and Caroline Kennedy for ambassador posts

The president will nominate Kwan, a two-time Olympic medalist figure skater, to serve as U.S. ambassador to Belize. He's tapping Kennedy to be ambassador to Australia.

www.npr.org

NO! LOL! THIS one!